The farmers’ loss is attributed to buying meat from far distant butcheries in Gakenke district which also resulted in the increase of meat price rising to Rwf 2000 from 1600.
The problems started following the closure of the modern butchery in Musanze town in 2017 over poor hygiene and sub-standard building of the former butchery.
Some meat traders said it has taken long without a butchery in Musanze district.
“It is sad to see a big town like Musanze without a single butchery; we are currently buying meat from Gakenke district,” said Kazungu Faustin, a trader.
“We incur losses because we spend a lot of money on transporting meat from Gakenke. Indeed the price of meat increased from Rwf 1600 and 1800 to Rwf 2000. Clients reduced because the price went up,” added Kazungu.
Another meat trader Kabera Vianney said: “We wake up early at 4 am to take a cow to Gakenke butchery for slaughter. When the cow costs Rwf 300,000, I return from Gakenke with extra expenses of Rwf 35,000 for transport and other costs.”
Kabera says that extra they cannot increase the price as they wish to note that such losses would be tackled if they get another local butchery.
“If district builds a decent butchery in this town, there would be no more losses” he appealed.
The mayor of Musanze district, Jean Damascène Habyarimana said that the construction of a new butchery will commence next month.
“A plot of land is available but there was lack of partners to build the butchery but we have found one and construction will start in June this year,” he revealed.
Habyarimana assured citizens that the district will have a modern butchery by next year.
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